Council approves purchase of truck

Tuesday

Feb 12, 2013 at 11:53 AMFeb 12, 2013 at 11:54 AM

Kent Casson

After a lengthy discussion and a failed vote on Wednesday night, members of the Fairbury City Council finally approved a bid from K&S Ford for a water department service truck.Some council members raised questions about the initial truck proposal, which included a four-wheel-drive model.“I don’t think they need a four-wheel-drive at all,” said Alderman Darrell Rabe.Meanwhile, Alderman Daton Kupferschmid questioned the reasons for having a four-wheel-drive vehicle while Alderman Jon Kinate wondered if the current truck could be tuned-up.Greg Hish made a motion to approve the bid with the four-wheel-drive feature, but the council was deadlocked in a tie vote. Fairbury Mayor Robert P. Walter Jr. broke the tie by voting no.“I’ll say no. I’m not sure about the four-wheel-drive either,” said Walter.Hish then made a new motion to authorize a two-wheel-drive heavy duty F-250 truck and the motion passed unanimously. The cost of the truck is $29,197.The council also authorized the purchase of new water meters for $225,012, utilizing an Environmental Protection Agency loan. The city is replacing all of the meters with radio-type meters and is asking the EPA for funding at a low interest rate. The city will then have to set up a re-payment plan, according to City Superintendent Leroy McPherson.“In doing that, we would look at possibly putting a dollar per month, per meter on the bill. Then, at the end of every year, transferring that into another account and paying our loan from the EPA off. It would be a 20-year loan,” said McPherson.Discussion also focused on a preferred contractor list for the city, which was approved. The council decided to add Edelman Electric and Kupferschmid to the list in addition to the other contractors in town.In other matters, the council:• Transferred $37,444.71 from the police seizure account to the general fund to purchase an Explorer.• Approved a request from Westview Elementary for a 5K run.• Authorized a drug and alcohol policy.• Decided to send a letter to the owner of the old laundromat property, asking for a written plan by Feb. 22.• Heard from Patrick Doggett, a field representative for Congressman Adam Kinzinger. He said traveling office hours are planned throughout the area.